







Basic Pattern Structure of a japanese sentence.

・Connectives: Provides connection to previous
sentence.
・Adverbials: Provides an initial gut feeling or mood
of the sentence.
・Topic: Introduce the topic of the sentence.
・Describes the subject of the sentence.
・Provides supplementary details about the engine on what action it does
or the current state it is in.
・Includes the subject, object, indirect object, time, location,
modifiers such as adjectives, adverbs, noun phrases, etc.
・The driving force of the sentence.
・It does tell the kind of sentence on whether it is a nominal,
adjectival, or verbal sentence.
・Includes either a verb, an adjective or a noun with modifiers plus
copula, auxiliaries, particles, conjunction, etc.
・Nominal: Noun. Noun Phrase.
・Adjectival: I-Adjective or Na-Adjective.
・Verbal: Transitive or Intransitive. Existential.
Movement. Change. Verb Phrase.
・Noun Ⓐ + Noun Ⓑ + Copula: Ⓑ describes or identifies Ⓐ
・ジョンさんがアメリカじんです.
・John-san ga amerika-jin desu.
・John is an American.
・名詞は 名詞です.・名詞は 名詞でした.・名詞は 名詞じゃない.・名詞は 名詞ではありません.
・Adjective Ⓐ + Noun Ⓑ: Ⓑ describes Ⓐ
・空が青い.
・Sora ga aoi.
・The sky is blue.
・名詞は イ形容詞です.・名詞は イ形容詞でした.・名詞は イ形容詞くないです.・名詞は イ形容詞くなかった.
・Adjective Ⓐ + Noun Ⓑ + Copula: Ⓑ describes Ⓐ
・地下鉄が便利だ.
・Chikatetsu ga benri da.
・The subway is convenient.
・名詞は ナ形容詞です.・名詞は ナ形容詞でした.・名詞は ナ形容詞ではありません.・名詞は ナ形容詞ではありませんでした.
・Subject Ⓐ + Object Ⓑ + Verb Ⓒ: Ⓐ does the action Ⓒ to Ⓑ
・先生は授業を始めた.
・Sensei wa jugyou o hajimeta.
・The teacher began teaching.
・名詞が 名詞を 動詞(他動詞).
・Subject Ⓐ + Verb Ⓑ: Ⓑ describes the state of Ⓐ
・桜さんが来た.
・Sakura-san ga kita.
・Sakura came.
・名詞が 動詞(自動詞).
・Subject Ⓐ + Verb Ⓑ : Ⓑ indicates the existence・movement・changes of Ⓐ
・ネットワークに問題があります.
・Nettowaaku ni mondai ga arimasu.
・There is a problem with the network.
・名詞に 名詞が 動詞(存在動詞).・名詞が 名詞に 動詞(移動動詞).・名詞が 名詞から 名詞に 動詞(移動動詞).・名詞が 名詞に 名詞を 動詞(受授動詞).
・Example of these are simple declarative, interrogative, imperative sentences, etc.
・Adjective + Noun + Particle + Verb + Auxiliary + Copula
・大事な話があるんです.
・I have something important to tell you.
・AND-Relation: The use connective
forms to connect two independent clauses.
・AND-Relation: The use conjunctive
particles to connect the independent clauses.
・BUT-Relation: The use conjunctive
particles to connect two opposite independent clauses.
・INTER-Relation: The use connectives or
conjunctions to connect two independent clauses.
・Sentence(I-Adj-Ending) + kute + Sentence
・この辞書は安くて便利だ.
・This dictionary is cheap and convenient.
・Sentence(Na-Adj-Ending) + de + Sentence
・りなさんはきれいでやさしいです.
・Rina-san is beautiful and kind.
・Sentence(Noun-Ending) + de + Sentence
・ウンさんは中国人でキムさんは韓国人です.
・Mr.Wong is Chinese and Mr. Kim is Korean.
・Sentence(Vnoun-base-Ending) + Sentence
・私は朝六時に起き、夜十時ごろ寝る.
・I get up at six in the morning and go to bed around ten at night.
・Sentence(Vte-Ending) + Sentence
・山田さんはラメンを食べてビールを飲む.
・Yamada-san eats ramen and drinks beer.
・Sentence(V/I-Adj/(N/Na-Adj+Cop)-Ending) + shi +
Sentence
・shi particle connects one or multiple reasons but not
naming all of it.
・この辞書は安くて便利だ.
・This dictionary is cheap and convenient.
・この事件はほぼ終息したし二度と起こることはない.
・This incident has more or less ended and will never happen again.
・Sentence(V/I-Adj/N/Na-Adj) + toka + Sentence
・toka cite a thing or an instance among other things
or situation.
・じゃあ映画を字幕なしで見るとか日本の音楽を聞くとかはどう?
・So how about watching movies without subtitles or listening to
Japanese music?
・Sentence + ga + Sentence
・この辞書は安くて便利だ.
・This dictionary is cheap and convenient.
・家内はフランス語を話せるが私が話せない.
・My wife can speak French but I can’t.
・Sentence + kedo + Sentence
・入ってもいいけどしずかにしてくださいね.
・You can come in but please be quiet.
・Sentence + keredomo + Sentence
・あそびたいけれども宿題はまだ終わってない.
・I want to play but I haven’t finished my homework yet.
・Sentence + connectives・conjunctions + Sentence
・あの人は頭がいい. そのうえ性格してもいい.
・僕は駅前の喫茶店に行った. そしてそこで友達を待っていた.
・彼は新しい、いい車を持っている. でもめったに乗らない.
・手紙を出した. しかし返事はこなかった.
・車で行きますか. それとも飛行機で行きますか.
・私が別れようと言った. すると彼女雨は泣き出した.
・日本語を勉強すると役に立つ. だから日本をしている.
・金がない. つまり、貧乏なんです.
・He is smart. On top of that, he has a good personality.
・I went to a coffee shop in front of the station. And there I waited
for my friend.
・He has a new, nice car, but he rarely drives it.
・I sent him a letter. But he never wrote back.
・Do you want to go by car? Or do you want to go by car or by
plane?
・I said goodbye. Then she started to cry.
・I told her that studying Japanese would be useful for her. That’s why
I’m doing Japan.
・I don’t have money. I mean, we are poor.
・Relative Clause: Using a relative
clause as a subordinate clause to provide additional
information.
・Complement Clause: Using a complement
clause as a subordinate clause to complete the meaning of whole
sentence.
・Conditional Clause: Using a conditional
clause as a subordinate clause to set some conditions.
・Relative Clause + Noun
・私が昨日見た犬はかわいいだ.
・As for the dog which I saw yesterday was adorable.
・Complement Clause + toiu + Noun
・日本語は曖昧な言葉だという考えは珍しくない.
・The idea that Japanese is an ambiguous language is not uncommon.
・Complement Clause + no・koto
・光子がピアノを弾いているのを聞いた.
・ひかるさんが今日は来ることを知らなかった.
・I heard Mitsuko playing the piano.
・I didn’t know Hikaru-san was going to be here today.
・Complement Clause + ka・ka dou ka・no ka dou ka
・誰がそれをするかが問題だ.
・あの学生は真面目かどうかしていますか.
・It’s just a question of who’s going to do it.
・Do you know whether or not that student is serious?
・Complement Clause + to iu・omou・kangaeru・etc.
・あそこはたぶん静かだと思います.
・彼は漢字は難しくないと言っている.
・It’s probably quiet over there.
・He says Kanji is not difficult.
・Complement Clause + you ni・mitai ni
・零さないように運んでください.
・彼は子供みたいに泣いて謝ったの.
・Please carry it without spilling it.
・He cried like a little kid and apologized.
・Complement Clause + you na・mitai na
・どことなく修学旅行のような雰囲気です.
・迷路みたいな小さな路地ばかり.
・The atmosphere is somewhat like a school trip.
・They are all little alleys like a maze.
・Conditional Clause + tara・to・nara・ba
・コートを着たら寒くありません.
・彼女は酒を飲むと顔が赤くなる.
・毎日練習をすれば上手になるよ.
・君がいやだと言うのならだれかほかの者にやらせる.
・If you put on a coat, it’s not cold.
・If she drinks, her face turns red.
・If you practice every day, you’ll get better.
・If you don’t want to do it, I’ll get someone else to do it.
・Subordinate Clause + conjunctions + Main Clause
・私がそこにいた時には異常はなかった.
・私は日本留学するために日本語を勉強しています.
・There was nothing unusual when I was there.
・I’m studying Japanese in order to study in Japan.
・Noun・Noun Phrase + phrasal particles + Clause
・彼は妹のためのケーキを作った.
・天気によって計画が変わるかもしれません.
・He made a cake for his sister.
・The plan might change depending on the weather.
・Clause + ka・no
・いつまで預けるつもりですか.
・How long do you plan to keep them?
・Vte + kudasai
・お客様アカウントにログインしてください.
・Please log in to your customer account.
・Clause + desu
・小さくはじめるというのは非常に大事です.
・Starting small is very important.
・Topic Ⓐ + Comment Ⓑ: Ⓑ describes Ⓐ
・日本は春と秋がいい.
・As for Japan, spring and fall are good.
・Time of speech.
・Indicates the timing of the action.
・Refers to two main tenses: past・non-past.
① Non-Past: -ru・u presents habitual actions and events or future actions and events
・I go to Japan every year.
・I will go to Japan next year.
・My house is in Tokyo.
・I can speak Japanese.
・毎年日本に行く・行きます.
・来年日本に行く・行きます.
・家は東京にある・あります.
・日本語が話せる・話せます.
① Past: -ta indicates past actions, events, and states
・I went to Japan last year.
・When I was a child, our house was in Tokyo.
・去年日本に行った・行きました.
・私が子供の時、家は東京にあった・ありました.
・Phase of an event.
・Phase of change in the movement of an event.
・Relates to the flow of time: start・continuation・completion.

・The mode of the sentence can be set by adding auxiliaries at the
end and in effect it sets the type and function.
・Auxiliaries are added in order to slightly change the
meaning of the sentence or give a nuance or a function.
・Auxiliaries are used as modality expressions on how
to perceive a matter or how to convey it to the listener.

・Prohibition: Prohibit something to do.
・Permission: Ask or give permission to do.
・Request: Ask for something or something to do.
① Prohibition: Forbid to do
・Don’t take a day off without saying something.
・No oversleeping.
・Don’t come to class unprepared.
・Don’t miss class without telling me.
・Don’t oversleep.
・Don’t come to class without doing your homework.
・何も言わないで休んではいけません.
・寝坊しては困ります.
・予習しないで授業に来てはだめです.
・何も言わないで休んじゃいけない.
・寝坊しちゃ困る.
・予習しないで授業に来てはだめ.
② Prohibition: Prohibit by a rule
・It is a rule that you must not smoke inside the buildings.
・As a rule, you cannot check the magazines out.
・You must notify the school when you are absent.
・建物の中ではたばこをすってはいけないことになっています.
・雑誌は貸出できないことになっています.
・休むときは学校に連絡しなければならないことになっています.
③ Prohibition: Not Permitted by law or regulation
・Removing clothing and shoes is prohibited.
・Unauthorized persons are prohibited from entering.
・衣服や靴を脱ぐことは禁止されています.
・関係者以外の出入りは許されていない.
① Permission: Seeking with te mo ii
・May I use this room?
・May I use this room?
・May I borrow a pen?
・May I ask how it happened?
・Can I pay you later?
・May I smoke?
・この部屋を使ってもいいですか.
・この部屋を使ってもよろしいでしょうか.
・ペン借りてもいい?
・こうなったのか聞いてもいいですか.
・お金はあとで払ってもかまいませんか.
・たばこすってもかまわない?
② Permission: Seeking with causative + itadaku・morau
・May I use your computer?
・Can I have a copy of that book?
・Could you give us a moment please?
・Can you let me keep my luggage here?
・コンピューターを使わせていただけませんか.
・その本ちょっとコピーさせてもらえませんか.
・ちょっと待たせてもらえないかな.
・荷物おかせてもらえる?
③ Permission: Seeking with causative + itadakitai・moraitai + ndesu ga
・I would like to ask you to let me put your name. Is it
alright?
・I would like you to let me take pictures. Is it ok?
・I want to ask you to let me use the pen. ok?
・お名前を書かせていただきたいんですが、よろしいでしょうか.
・写真をとらせてもらいたいんですが、いいですか.
・そのペン使わせてもらいたいんだけど、いい?
④ Permission: Seeking with causative + itadaite・moratte + mo ii desu ka
・Would you let me think about it a little more?
・Would you let me say something?
・Will you let me leave it here for a moment?
・もう少し考えさせていただいてもよろしいでしょうか.
・ちょっと言わせてもらってもいいですか.
・ちょっとここにおかせてもらってもいい?
⑤ Permission: Seeking with causative + itadaku・morau + koto (ga) dekiru
・Can you let me wait here?
・Can you let me think about it a little?
・ここで待たせていただくこと、できますか.
・ちょっと考えさせてもらうこと、できる?
⑥ Permission: Seeking with causative + itadaku・morau + wake ni wa ikanai deshou ka
・Could I be allowed to take the exam?
・Is it at all possible for you to let me take a week vacation?
・I wonder if it is at all possible for you to let me use your car?
・試験を受けさせていただくわけにはいかないでしょうか.
・一週間休暇とらせていただくわけにはいかないでしょうか.
・車を使わせてもらうわけにはいかないかなあ.
⑦ Permission: Seeking with causative + kudasaru・kureru
・Please let me rest a little.
・Can you let me think about it for a minute?
・ちょっと休ませてください.
・ちょっと考えさせてくれる?
① Request: Asking with te moraemasu・moraemasen ka
・Can I ask you to help me?
・Can I ask you to correct it?
・手伝ってもらえませんか.
・これ、直してもらえますか.
② Request: Asking with te kuremasen ka
・Will you come to my office later?
・Will you buy me something to drink?
・あとでオフィスに来てくれませんか.
・飲み物を買ってきてくれませんか.
③ Request: Asking with onegai
・I would like to ask for recommendation letter.
・I would like to make a reservation.
・I have a favor to ask you.
・One more please.
・Sorry, but can you repeat it one more time?
・あとでオフィスに来てくれませんか.
・予約をお願いしたいんですが.
・一つお願いがあるんですが.
・もう一つお願いします.
・すみません. もう一度お願いできますか.
・Main: Optional.
・Engine: Required.
・リンゴを食べる前に皮をむきなさい.
・Take the skin off before you eat the apple.
A main clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It is one that can stand alone and makes complete sense.
A subordinate clause is a group of words that consists of a subject, a verb and a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Unlike main clauses, subordinate clauses cannot stand alone or convey complete meaning when taken separately from the sentence it is a part of.
・日本語は難しいと思いません.
・I don’t think Japanese is difficult.
・日本のドラマをたくさん見たから耳が良くなりました.
・Because I watched many Japanese TV dramas, my listening comprehension
improved.
Used to give additional information about a noun.
Internal relative clause: Provides direct information of a noun.
External relative clause: Provides indirect information of a noun which
may be an abstract concept of thoughts or assertions. Uses to iu or
tte.
Serves to complete the meaning of a noun or verb.
Could function as the subject or object of the verb.
Indicated by no, koto or to.
States a hypothesis or condition.
It could be real, factual, imagined or counter-factual.
Indicated by tara, ba, nara and to.
It is adjectival in nature if use adjectives to provide additional
information about the noun.
Indicated by na, adjectives.
It is adjectival in nature if provides additional information about
the verb which is verb phrase.
Indicated by ni, te and phrasal particles in pre-verbal form.
It is adjectival in nature if it provides additional information
about a noun which is noun phrase.
Indicated by no, specialized nouns and phrasal particles in pre-nominal
form.